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Nigerians reject reps’ proposal for compulsory voting

The bill proposes a six-month imprisonment or a fine of not more than N100, 000 for any registered voter convicted for failing to exercise his or her franchise during national, state and local council polls.

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A cross section of Nigerians, including lawyers and civil society organisations have opposed a bill in the House of Representatives seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2022, to make voting in all national, state and local council elections compulsory for all eligible Nigerians.

The bill, jointly sponsored by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Daniel Asama Ago, is titled: A Bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act, 2022 to make it Mandatory for Nigerians of Maturity Age to Vote in All National and State Elections and for Related Matters (HB.1930).

The bill proposes a six-month imprisonment or a fine of not more than N100, 000 for any registered voter convicted for failing to exercise his or her franchise during national, state and local council polls.

But Nigerians who spoke to Daily Trust described the proposed legislation as a misplacement of priority; while lawyers declared it unconstitutional.

It is unconstitutional – SANs

Professor Paul Ananaba (SAN) said no country, not even the most totalitarian countries, compels its citizens to vote.“Voting is a civic responsibility; if you want, you can vote, if you don’t, you can stay in your house; compelling people to vote is a violation of their rights,” he said.

For Etigwe Uwa (SAN), said it is laudable as a civic duty for citizens to vote in an election, but making it a criminal offence needs to be looked at very well.

Tunde Akinyemi, a civil rights lawyer in Surulere, Lagos, said: “This bill is not only draconian, it is tone-deaf. You don’t threaten citizens into participating in democracy; you inspire and earn their trust.

Has the government considered the reasons why people don’t vote? Fix electoral violence, rigging and insecurity first, and then we can talk about turnout.”

On her part, Hajiya Rabi Abdullahi, a school teacher from Keffi, Nasarawa State, said people avoid taking part in election for their safety and other reasons.

Chukwuemeka Obi, an unemployed graduate from Enugu, said, “Many of us have lost faith in politicians. They come every four years with promises and disappear after winning. If I choose not to vote, that’s my right too. Compelling people with jail is dictatorship, not democracy.”

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Politics

Tinubu Longing for Wike to Join APC

The president noted that with Wike, APC will continue to be in a joyous mood, while the party’s rivals will continue to writhe in pain.

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• Nyesom Wike with President Bola Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu says that even though the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, is not yet a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the party is open to receiving him whenever he decides to switch.

Tinubu stated this when he commissioned the Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way) from Ring Road One (Nnamdi Azikiwe Way) to Arterial Road N20 (Wole Soyinka Road) and some other roads in Katampe District.

The president noted that with Wike, APC will continue to be in a joyous mood, while the party’s rivals will continue to writhe in pain.

He said, “We have somebody in Nyesom Wike. He is not a member of my party. Not yet.

But the day he changes his mind and registers with the Progressives, we will welcome him because we will enjoy him singing ‘as e dey pain them, e dey sweet us”.

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Tinubu Forgives Sanwo-Olu: What Happened Between Them?

However, sources said that Sanwo-Olu and other members of the GAC prostrated to the president in apparent remorse and appeasement.

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President Bola Tinubu declared that his relationship with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, remains cordial, adding that “it’s all over now. All is forgiven.”

Recall there have been reports of a cold war between Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu which have been awash in social media recently.

In May, President Tinubu had snubbed Sanwo-Olu during the inauguration of the Phase 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos.

In a video shared by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, Tinubu was seen entering the venue as dignitaries stood to welcome him.

At the event, President Tinubu shook hands with Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum; Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri; Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, and others — but bypassed Sanwo-Olu, who was visibly waiting to greet him.

Then the President received the governor, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa and leadership of Governance Advisory Council, GAC, as they paid Sallah, Eid-el Kabir, homage, at his Ikoyi residence, Lagos.

The meeting was led by GAC chairman, Prince Tajudeen Olusi.Other personalities include: Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila; All Progressives Congress, APC, Chairman, Pastor, Cornelius Ojelabi; Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, among others.

Olusi, who welcomed the president to Lagos, said it was obvious he was unhappy with some persons in the state, especially the governor, and, therefore pleaded for mercy.

Tinubu, it was gathered, while responding, said: “It’s all over now. All is forgiven,” affirming that he was not angry with anyone, let alone the governor.

However, sources said that Sanwo-Olu and other members of the GAC prostrated to the president in apparent remorse and appeasement.

A source, privy to the meeting, said: “The meeting didn’t entertain a situation where the President or the governor had to start explaining what happened between them.

“They just pleaded for outright mercy on behalf of the governor, and the president granted it.”

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President Tinubu ends months of rifts with Governor Sanwo-Olu in Lagos

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…..End months of political tension between them.

President Bola Tinubu has declared that he has forgiven Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, putting an end to months of political tension between them.

The reconciliation happened on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Tinubu’s Queens Drive residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, where Governor Sanwo-Olu and members of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) visited him to seek peace.

During the meeting, Sanwo-Olu prostrated before the president, lying face down in the Yoruba cultural manner of showing deep apology and respect.

The governor’s gesture was his way of asking Tinubu for forgiveness after months of strained relations.

The closed-door discussion was aimed at resolving the fallout between both men, which began after Sanwo-Olu’s political moves earlier in the year.

THE BEGINNING OF THE RIFT:

In January, it was reported that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa was removed, but was eventually reinstated.

Tensions between the president and the governor became more visible in public.

At a recent event, Tinubu was seen avoiding direct interaction with Sanwo-Olu, fueling speculation that the governor could face impeachment or removal before his tenure ends in 2027.

Sanwo-Olu’s political journey is closely tied to Tinubu, who supported him to become governor in 2019 after the exit of Akinwunmi Ambode.

This background made the rift even more sensitive, with many in Tinubu’s circle reportedly disappointed with Sanwo-Olu’s actions.

In seeking reconciliation, Sanwo-Olu was accompanied by loyal APC members who also appealed to Tinubu on his behalf.

According to those present, Tinubu listened and assured the group that he had let go of any anger toward Sanwo-Olu and others involved in the disagreement.

Although details of Tinubu’s exact words were not shared, the governor’s public show of remorse was accepted, and the meeting ended with both sides agreeing to move forward.

Click the link below to watch the video:

https://we.tl/t-lCyXhLNk1m?utm_campaign=TRN_TDL_05&utm_source=sendgrid&utm_medium=email&trk=TRN_TDL_05

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